Dying Scream by Mary Burton Read Free Book Online Page A

puffs and white smoke billowed upward. “You do that, because I’ve paid you a lot of money and I’ll want every damn dime back plus interest if this doesn’t happen.”
    It always came down to money. “I can assure you that I need this sale as much as you. Maybe more.”
    He puffed his cigar. “If I get fucked, I’m taking someone with me. And that’s going to be you.”
    His words struck her like a hard slap. “Don’t worry, Mr. Mazur. The graves will be gone soon.”
    “Good. Call me in a couple of hours with a report.”
    “Sure.”
    Adrianna watched him saunter to his white Mercedes. Behind the wheel, he snapped open his cell phone and then drove off.
    For an instant she closed her eyes and let her mind drift. Soon the land would be gone. Her house would be sold and she’d be managing her business from somewhere far away. Just a little longer and she’d sever her ties with the past.
    Soon. Soon. Soon.
    Calmer, she turned back to see Dr. Heckman rushing her way. He tugged nervously at a loose thread on his coat pocket as his short, quick strides ate up the distance. “Mrs. Thornton?”
    Adrianna tensed, forced herself to smile. “It’s Barrington, not Thornton, Dr. Heckman.”
    “Right. Yes, you’ve told me that.”
    “What can I do for you?”
    “The crews aren’t digging. What is going on? I’ve been asking but no one is talking.”
    “There’s a delay.”
    Dr. Heckman clapped his hands together. “What kind of delay?”
    “Nothing she can discuss.” The answer came from Gage, who’d approached without her noticing. Gage towered over the doctor like a mature oak over a sapling.
    Adrianna had been patient with the man, but his constant e-mails and pestering over the last few weeks had thinned her patience. “You’re trespassing, Dr. Heckman. Please don’t try what is left of my nerves.”
    His eyes narrowed to priggish slits and for a moment he looked ready to rebut. “You have no right to move those graves. This is an abomination.”
    Gage watched the older man march off. “Who the hell is that?”
    “A professor who sees it as his personal mission to keep those graves from being moved.”
    “What’s he doing here today?”
    “I don’t know. Someone must have tipped him.”
    “And that other guy—the one in the Mercedes?”
    “The man who is buying the land. William Mazur.”
    “He looked pissed when he spoke to you. What was that about?”
    It surprised her he’d noticed the exchange. “That he really, really wants those graves moved off his land.”
    Gage’s gaze bored into her. “It appeared to be more than that.”
    “Money has a way of churning up emotions.” After what she’d done to Gage, he would be the last person she’d ever run to for help. “Don’t worry about it.”
    He hesitated as if he wanted to say more but reconsidered. “Have any idea who the victim might be?”
    “No, but you believe the body belongs to Rhonda Minor or that other woman you asked me about.”
    Bitterness tightened his smile. “I’m surprised you remember.”
    “I remember.” Her calm voice hid a reeling mind.
    “Do you think it’s Rhonda Minor?” Behind the dark glasses she sensed his gaze absorbed every one of her expressions.
    “I don’t know.” She spoke clearly, directly. “I haven’t visited this property for a couple of years.”
    Gage nodded slowly. “You live in Richmond?”
    “Yes.”
    “Still on Riverside Drive?”
    He’d known where she and Craig had lived. “No. I sold that house a couple of years ago. I’m closer to the university now.” Sale of the Riverside house had paid for Craig’s first year in the nursing home.
    “And I suppose you inherited this land from your late husband.”
    “That’s correct.”
    “Been in the Thornton family a while?”
    “Don’t play games. You know more about this family than I do.”
    “Do you still own your design business?”
    “Yes, I do. Why are you asking all these questions? You know the answers.”
    He